Weekly Walk Around the News

Seattle is currently 6th on the list of the top 10 car sharing cities, with 489 car shares. The top car share neighborhoods include Capitol Hill, Downtown, and the University District.

A comparison of crosswalks in Seattle and Barcelona illustrates how public rights of ways can vastly differ. The walking streets in Barcelona merge with the surrounding activity, whereas pedestrians in Seattle walk in separate spaces.

Sound Transit will soon begin their Ballard transit expansion study to determine whether Ballard is a candidate for light rail, streetcar, or high capacity transit. An open house will take place Wednesday, February 20 at Hale’s Ales in Fremont from 5:30-7 pm.

Walk Score recently compiled a list of the Top 10 Health Benefits of Walking. Weight loss, a boost in mental health, and a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure are just some of the potential benefits.

Though it may come as no surprise the cars and vibrant cities are in many ways incompatible, researchers who looked at a dozen historically dense, small cities around the country found that cities with higher rates of driving have fewer people. Further, the amount of land designated for parking is a key indicator of the level at which automobiles have impacted the surrounding environment, with twice as much land committed to parking in cities with higher rates of car use.

International

The second UN global Road Safety Week will take place May 6-12 of this year. The theme, Pedestrian Safety, will draw attention to the need for greater protection of pedestrians worldwide.